Have you adopted the proper pooping position yet?

Meagan Morris is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist living in New York City. In addition to SheKnows, Morris contributes to many publications including The New York Times, Yahoo! News, PopEater, NBC New York and Spinner. Follow he...

Drop it like a squat

Squatting isn't just something you should do in the gym.

My first experience with a squat toilet wasn't exactly positive. I had just landed in Taiwan after a 14-hour flight and all I wanted to do was use the bathroom. However, all I could find was a strange stall with a whole in the ground and two platforms for my feet. It took a little while, but I figured it out.

It didn't take long to master the art of squatting and I turned into a pro by the end of my month-long trip. Everything seemed to flow a little bit better, too.

And that wasn't just my imagination. Doctors and scientists have long argued that modern-day toilets are bad for our bodies. When we sit on the toilet, our bodies are turned into what's known as the anorectal angle. In this position, our rectums get "kinked," making it difficult for us to poop. Squatting helps relax the puborectalis muscle and takes out that kink, allowing us to properly eliminate all of our waste without straining. This method also helps us keep hemorrhoids and urinary tract infections from developing because we're not straining.

So, does that mean you need to ditch the toilet and install a new system? Nope. You can get the same effect from raising your knees into the proper angle with a small stool system known as the Squatty Potty.

The Squatty Potty comes in a variety of sizes to help everyone in your family get the proper 35-degree angle. Prices range from $25 for the economical version to $70 for a sleek bamboo Potty.

And as for an optimal pooping experience every time you hit the bathroom? Priceless.